From Suplexes to Sixteens: John Cena's ‘You Can't See Me Album,' 20 Years Later
Released on May 10, 2005, You Can't See Me — a collaboration with his cousin, fellow rapper TradeMarc — debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200, also reaching No. 3 on Top Rap Albums — proof Cena had real appeal on the mic. Even while locking up with heavyweights like Triple H, Randy Orton, and The Undertaker each week, Cena carried that same grit and resilience into the booth. On tracks like 'Just Another Day' and 'If It All Ended Tomorrow,' Cena's raw candor and introspection made him surprisingly easy to root for. As he raps on the latter: 'You the new kid, now you gettin' some shine/ When every vet sayin' that it's not yo' time/ My hustle is non-stop and it's not yo' grind/ Plus I hear very clear, I'm not so blind.'
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And though Cena was dubbed WWE's Superman, his rap heroics on You Can't See Me became every critic's kryptonite. His bravado and swagger leglocked the doubters into submission. The album's title track became his armor — its hook both a taunt and a shield — as he swatted away skepticism with a single phrase: 'You can't see me.' The song became both a gift and a curse: a champion's anthem and rallying cry, but also a punchline for detractors who turned it into an easy jab, diminishing Cena even as he continued to dominate.
Now on his final lap as a professional wrestler, Cena's recent partnership with Travis Scott — rap's latest generational leader — speaks volumes about his influence across both arenas. WWE is in the midst of a renaissance, with pop culture once again reinvigorated by its presence. Hip-hop's footprint in the ring is larger than ever: WaleMania just celebrated its 10th anniversary at WrestleMania, while wrestlers like Montez Ford and Trick Williams proudly showcase their rap chops with original music, and genre superstars like Drake, Metro Boomin, Lil Yachty, and Quavo now flood wrestling arenas with the same fervor and excitement as the everyday diehards beside them. Much of this stems from Cena's early efforts to meld both worlds — what began as a desperate bid to save his WWE career ended up bridging a gap between music and wrestling, one that remains tightly connected to this day.
And while we may never get another album from the 48-year-old multi-hyphenate, You Can't See Me still deserves a spin — for everything it gave to hip-hop, wrestling, and pop culture at large.
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Nick Hogan and Hulk Hogan attend the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, on August 1, 2010. Nick Hogan and Hulk Hogan attend the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, on August 1, 2010. Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic What To Know WWE honored Hulk Hogan on Monday Night Raw at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Nick Hogan was in the center of the stage for the for the tribute with his wife, Tana Lea. Following chants of "Hogan! Hogan!" from the audience, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque spoke out about Hulk Hogan's legacy. "Ladies and gentlemen, we lost one of the biggest and most globally recognized icons in the world," he said. "A man I grew up watching, was fortunate enough to share the ring with, and like so many of us, were honored to call a friend. The truth is, he captivated millions of people and inspired them around the globe. 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Fox News
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Hulk Hogan's son appears at WWE's 'RAW' to help honor father after his death
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